When she was nine years old Mary B. Addison killed a baby. Allegedly. The infant died while in the care of Mary’s mother. Mary never said she killed, but the media filled in all the blanks. Mary spent six years in “baby jail” and at the age of sixteen moved into a group home. Here she is abused and tormented by the other residents and the adults turn a blind eye. Her only solace is Ted. When Mary gets pregnant she realizes that in order to protect her new and growing family she has to set the record straight. The odds are stacked against her, but she is smart and determined. Hopefully that will be enough.

This debut novel is so heartbreaking. I just started listening to the audiobook today and am about half way finished. I will definitely be watching for more books by Tiffany Jackson!

Sixteen-year-old Kyra is a potions master, a would-be assassin, and a fugitive. She had to abandon her practice and flee after her failed attempt to kill her best friend, Princess Ariana. She’s not crazy, she had to do it for the good of the kingdom. Now, the king’s army is hot on her trail and the fate of the kingdom rests on Kyra’s ability to locate the princess and finish what she started. With nothing but a pack full of potions and poisons and a tiny tracking pig, she sets out in search of her target. Along the way she meets Fred, a happy-go-lucky adventurer and his dog, Langley. The rag-tag band of travelers encounter goblins and a wicked witch before Kyra can ditch Fred and get down to business. But Fred has an uncanny ability to reappear and the most opportune moments and Kyra can’t help but start to like him. But they both have secrets that threaten any chance that they have of being together. And there is still a princess to find and kill.

This debut novel, published two years after the author’s death, is a quick, fun read. I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded in a non-linear way, slowly revealing bits and pieces and the secrets revealed at the end were such a treat. The poisons and potions are quite intriguing and I found myself wishing for some of Kyra’s handiwork (the fun, harmless potions of course!). Readers will be charmed by the cast of characters: Kyra is a woman on a mission, Fred is a goof-ball, Ari is about as anti-princess as they come and Rosie is a real cutie. A delightful blend of humor, adventure, and magic, Poison is a winner.

You may also enjoy The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman and A Kiss in Timeby Alex Flinn